NRL expansion: Anthony Milford leaves door open to shock return for expansion club
He is off to re-ignite his career at South Sydney, but could we see Anthony Milford back in Brisbane in the near future?
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Anthony Milford has left the door ajar for a shock return to Brisbane to head up an expansion team and declared a fresh start at South Sydney could get his NRL career back on track.
Milford produced his best performance of the season after being recalled to Brisbane’s starting side in last Sunday’s 24-22 win against the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.
It was the Milford of old on show for the Broncos, with the fleet-footed five-eighth scoring a try, creating two others and busting six tackles in a vintage showing.
Milford, 27, will depart the Broncos at season’s end following a turbulent seven years where he has fluctuated between being the club’s best and worst player at times.
The race to the 2021 NRL Telstra Finals Series is on and every game matters. Watch Live & Ad-Break Free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free >
The NRL is currently assessing whether it will introduce a second Brisbane team from 2023 or 2024, with former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett the prime candidate to lead a new club.
Bennett, currently coaching the Rabbitohs, and Milford have a strong relationship, prompting suggestions the Broncos playmaker could be a recruitment target for the NRL’s 17th franchise.
Milford, who has signed a one-year deal with Souths, has strong family ties to Brisbane and wouldn’t rule out the possibility of returning to the River City.
“I’m not too sure, I wanted to sign with Souths and back myself to play some good footy,” he said.
“Whatever happens after that happens.
“Ideally it would be nice (to return to Brisbane). But I said I’ll back myself at Souths and see how I go.
“I want to get out of my comfort zone, look forward to a big pre-season and play some good footy.
“I think I need a fresh start. It’s always good to get out of your comfort zone.
“I’ve been at the Broncos for seven years and while it’s sad to move on I’m looking forward to it.”
Milford will make his 150th appearance for the Broncos in Saturday’s game against Cronulla at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos have produced some encouraging performances since their 46-0 capitulation to Souths in Round 15 and are targeting a three-game winning streak to end the season.
Milford said he was thrilled to find some form against the Warriors and he wanted to end his Broncos career on a high.
“It’s always good to put in a good performance, especially playing at home on a Sunday arvo,” he said.
“It was good to get back in the side and there was a lot to play for. Lex (captain Alex Glenn) announced his retirement so I wanted to play well for him and the boys.
“You can’t beat (winning at Suncorp). It’s the best feeling in the world.
“I want to leave Brisbane knowing I gave my best, especially with these last two games. Hopefully we can make some memorable moments.
“Everyone has been playing a little more for each other over the past six weeks.
“When you start losing you get used to it. We’ve done that the past few years.
“The last two months have been a real step forward for the Broncos and my game as well.”
Expansion bombshell as Munster considers QLD reunion
— Peter Badel
Melbourne are facing a battle to retain Cameron Munster with the Origin pivot revealing he is open to reuniting with super coach Wayne Bennett in Queensland to spearhead the NRL’s proposed 17th team.
Munster and Bennett forged a strong bond during Queensland’s epic Origin series boilover of the Blues last year and the NRL’s expansion plans have opened the door for a possible reunification of the Maroons’ dynamic duo.
The NRL held expansion meetings with bid teams the Firehawks, Jets and Dolphins on Monday, with the ARL Commission to determine by October whether to introduce a fourth Queensland club for 2023 or 2024.
The latter option could be the perfect timeslot for Munster, who is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2023 — making him a prime recruitment target for a second Brisbane club to rival the Broncos.
Bennett’s Souths contract expires in November and Munster, who hails from Rockhampton, says a return to Queensland has appeal as he prepares to become a father for the first time with partner Bianca.
“For sure I will consider it (a second Brisbane team),” Munster said ahead of Melbourne’s clash against the Eels on Saturday night.
“I know Wayne would be very keen to coach a second Brisbane team. He told me in Origin camp (last November) he is keen on a second Brisbane team, so it would be a very competitive side if Wayne was in charge.
“It’s a big decision for me.
“The Storm are a great club and they gave me my first opportunity to play NRL. I am a pretty loyal bloke and I will definitely give them an opportunity to keep me, but with the new Brisbane coming along, it will be a tough conversation to have.
“There is so much potential with a 17th team, especially for Central Queensland when I’m from and all the regions around Brisbane.
“Expansion would be a great thing for the game. I‘m sure the Broncos wouldn’t be too happy, but two Brisbane teams would make for a great rivalry headbutting against each other and it would attract a lot of fans.
“Another Brisbane team would be great for the competition.”
The Storm have been outstanding for Munster, plucking him from a Broncos scholarship at age 17 and providing the coaching structures that turned him into a premiership-winning Origin and Test star.
But with Munster turning 27 next month, and having given a decade to the Storm, the life-changing experience of becoming a parent could be pivotal in whether he seeks support networks in Queensland.
Storm chairman Matt Tripp is unlikely to stand in Munster’s road if he wanted to return home for family reasons and finish his NRL career with a second Brisbane team.
“It’s definitely something to think about it. I’ve already thought about it,” said Munster, a Swysh ambassador who has helpedraise $200,000 for the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Variety Children’s Charity via the personalised-video platform.
“My partner has family on the Sunshine Coast and I’ve spoken to Bianca about going home to Queensland.
“It has some appeal, but I’ve really enjoyed my time in Melbourne and they have been great for me.
“I’m becoming a father, so when the time comes, I might have to put my family and consider moving back to Queensland where our families are.”
Firehawks bid chief Shane Richardson said Munster is a major target for the Easts Tigers-backed organisation.
“Cameron Munster is a Queenslander and we have to bring Queenslanders back to Queensland, simple as that,” he said. “Every team would want to bring him back, he is a great player.”
Millions warned to brace for commuter pain
Millions of Aussies have been warned of a “difficult” travel period ahead as works begin on a major transport project.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh: Why AFL will never take over Sydney
The Sydney numbers that AFL won’t want to talk about, how much the Dolphins are paying Wayne Bennett at the Bunnies, and Hame Sele’s first steps in comeback, in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.